PARKS MASTER PLAN

CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER PUBLIC HEARING

At its Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider setting a public hearing for the adoption of the City's Five-Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

The Parks & Recreation Master Plan serves as a strategic guide for the development, maintenance, and improvement of the City's parks, recreation facilities, natural areas, and outdoor amenities over the next five years. The plan includes an inventory of existing parks and recreational assets, evaluates community needs, and establishes goals and action items to help guide future investments and decision-making.

The City began the planning process in 2025, seeking input from residents, stakeholders, and community partners to help identify priorities for the future of Traverse City's park system. Public engagement included a community survey and opportunities for residents to provide feedback on existing facilities, recreational opportunities, and future needs.

A Parks & Recreation Master Plan is also an important tool for securing outside funding. Having an approved plan is a prerequisite for many state and federal grant opportunities, including funding through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The draft plan reflects the community's vision for parks and recreation while helping ensure the City remains eligible for future grant funding that can support park improvements, land acquisition, accessibility enhancements, trails, recreation facilities, and natural resource conservation efforts.

ATTAINABLE HOUSING DISTRICTS 

HOUSING INCENTIVE TOOLS

At their Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider whether to move forward with establishing Attainable Housing and Residential Housing Districts, two state-enabled housing tools intended to encourage the creation, rehabilitation, and preservation of long-term housing within the community.

The discussion follows previous presentations to the Commission in December 2025 and March 2026 regarding the Attainable Housing Facilities Act (AHFA) and the Residential Housing Facilities Act (RHFA). At the June 15 meeting, Commissioners will be asked to provide direction on whether to proceed with the programs, identify which areas of the City should be included in the proposed districts, and authorize funding for the required public notification process.

If established, the districts would allow eligible property owners to apply for property tax abatements in exchange for providing housing that meets affordability requirements established under state law. Applications are voluntary and would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The programs are designed to incentivize both the rehabilitation of existing housing and the construction of new housing while maintaining long-term affordability requirements.

Under the proposed framework, the Attainable Housing Facilities Act would primarily apply to lower-density residential areas that allow up to four dwelling units, while the Residential Housing Facilities Act would focus on areas that accommodate multifamily and higher-density residential development. The programs do not change underlying zoning regulations or permitted land uses.

Staff provided additional information to address questions raised by Commissioners earlier this year, including administrative requirements, potential impacts on property tax revenues, program eligibility, and experiences from other communities. Staff noted that approved projects would be subject to annual compliance reviews and audits at the property owner's expense.

The housing tools are intended to provide another option for increasing housing opportunities within the City at a time when communities throughout the region continue to face housing supply challenges. Staff also noted that the programs may help encourage the conversion of short-term rentals to long-term housing and support investment in existing rental housing stock.

Should the Commission choose to proceed, the next step would be initiating the public hearing process required by state law before any districts could be formally established. Future applications for tax abatements would require separate public hearings and approval by both the City and the State Tax Commission.

PILOT AGREEMENT CONSIDERED

520 RAILROAD

At their Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider approving a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for 15 years at a rate of 3% for a proposed workforce housing development at 520 Railroad Avenue.

The project would redevelop two currently vacant parcels into a four-story, 75-unit residential building. The development would include 57 workforce housing units and 18 market-rate units. The workforce housing portion would consist of 47 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units, all restricted to households earning 100% of the Area Median Income or less for a period of 15 years.

City staff evaluated the proposal using the City's PILOT scoring matrix and assigned the project an average score of 16.5 out of 20. The development also aligns with priorities identified in the City's Strategic Action Plan by supporting housing affordability, increasing year-round residency, and incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building practices.

The recommended action before the Commission would approve a 15 year PILOT agreement at a rate of 3% for the workforce housing portion of the development. The remaining 18 market-rate units would continue to pay traditional property taxes.

ELMWOOD MILL AND FILL PROJECT 

PROJECT EXTENDED

The City's contractors will be closing S. Elmwood Avenue between W. Front and W. Eleventh Streets to all through traffic for a mill and fill project on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The project is anticipated to now be completed by Friday, June 19, 2026.

The intersection of Medical Campus Drive and S. Elmwood Avenue will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project.

A detour will be provided using W. Front, S. Division, and W. Eleventh Streets. Parking will be prohibited on S. Elmwood Avenue for the duration of the project.

Northbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use W. Sixth Street. Southbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use Seventh Street.

Sidewalk curb ramps are being replaced to improve ADA accessibility at the intersection of Sixth Street and S. Elmwood Avenue. The crosswalks within the work zone will be closed for the duration of the project to facilitate the construction. A pedestrian detour will be provided using Seventh Street, S. Spruce Street, W. Front Street, S. Madison Street, Sixth Street, and Beaumont Place.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF JUNE 15

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in May 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Week of June 15 Locations

The week of June 15, 2026, work will be conducted on the 200, 300, 400, and 500 blocks of Washington, the 300 and 400 blocks of Wellington, the 400 block of Franklin, the 500 block of Webster, and the 500 block of E. Eighth Street. This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

2026 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS

Grand Traverse County residents may dispose of up to 150 pounds of household hazardous waste at no charge. Quantities exceeding 150 pounds will be charged $1.30 per pound. Cash and checks are accepted for any applicable fees.

Collection Dates

Thursdays | 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• June 25
• August 13

Saturday | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• September 12

Appointment Required

Appointments are required and become available approximately one month before each event.

Accepted Materials

• Household Hazardous Waste only

Not Accepted

• Electronics
• Tires
• Appliances

For examples of accepted household hazardous waste materials, please refer to the Household Hazardous Waste guide.